Robert Smigel News

A blog about theater and live performance in Chicago. RSS Archive The A Very Funny Festival: Just for Laughs stand-up showcase is well under way.

Also in town for Just For Laughs is mom-friendly Ellen DeGeneres at the Chicago Theatre.A If you're not up for comedy , you could see Dillinger Escape Plan 's frenzied hardcore at Reggie's Rock Club, or opt for Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood over at the United Center.

The concept was pie-in-the-sky. In 1998, comedy writers Robert Smigel and Dino Stamatopoulos did a pilot for Fox TV parodying Chicago's beloved "Bozo's Circus." Smigel portrayed the anxious clown "Prozo." When the adult-oriented "TV Funhouse" cartoons they popularized on "Saturday Night Live" were shown, kids in the audience were ushered out of the ...

Published: Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. Robert Smigel is riding around Bonnaroo, looking for targets.

"You Don't Mess With The Zohan" might very well be Adam Sandler's worst movie. Starring: Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Nick Swardson, Emmanuelle Chriqui Directed By: Dennis Dugan Written By: Adam Sandler, Robert Smigel "You Don't Mess With The Zohan" might very well be Adam Sandler's worst movie.

The Alzheimer's Project: Take your time with this one. This recently aired HBO documentary series can be the stuff to destroy your every ounce of happiness.

Click on any of the titles below to magically head over to Amazon.com and pick up the DVD.

NBC announced that on Sunday, May 17th, they'll be airing a new prime time special, Saturday Night Live Just Shorts.

Tomorrow Shout! Factory is releasing The Dana Carvey Show on DVD . This show may be a beneficiary of the Hulu era .

TO everyone involved it sounded like the formula for the ultimate sketch comedy show: Start with Dana Carvey, the veteran "Saturday Night Live" performer and master impressionist, as host.

To everyone involved it sounded like the formula for the ultimate sketch comedy show: Start with Dana Carvey, the veteran Saturday Night Live performer and master impressionist, as host.

Sometimes the memorable moments on "Saturday Night Live' aren't live. From Mr. Bill to "Lazy Sunday," the late-night show has occasionally presented short films, and is collecting many of the best for a two-hour prime-time special airing May 17 at 9 p.m. EDT.

After The Dana Carvey Show premiered to middling reviews and ratings, ABC yanked the Saturday Night Live vet's sketch-comedy show after just seven episodes.

The Dana Carvey Show only aired for eight episodes, in 1996, but for what the show lacked in longevity, it more than made up for by launching the careers of what would eventually become some of the most popular and influential figures in contemporary comedy and cinema, including Stephen Colbert, Steve Carrell, Louis C.K., Charlie Kaufman, Robert ...

An Arab and an Israeli walk into a hair salon ... Adam Sandlera s new film You Dona t Mess with the Zohan is more comedy than sociopolitical satire.

You know Zack Snyder frequently jokes that Warner Bros. might try out " Watchmen Babies " as a sequel? I'm guessing that planted a seed that led to this great spoof video which presents the R-Rated characters ...

Late Night With Conan O'Brien shuts down Friday after a 16-year run filled with geeky mockery.

Kevin Frank is a veteran graphic artist at NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien. He has worked as a graphic artist for three television networks, and has spent more than 15 years at Late Night With Conan ...

SF's annual Sketchfest never fails to please the comedy nerds. After months of wondering how they could possibly outdo last year's Kids in the Hall tribute, the annual festival of hilarity recently announced ...